The Pope Paul VI Lady Panthers are having an excellent lacrosse season. The "Black and Gold," coached by Joe Dannemann (third season), currently weigh-in with an overall record of 8-5 (4-2 WCAC).

"Our strength this season is our senior class (10 seniors, nine of whom start)," said Dannemann.

During Easter break out of town, PVI defeated: Torrey Pines, Calif. 9-8; Santana, Calif. 11-4 and Lacosta Canyon, Calif. 6-5.

In the Washington area, Paul VI has defeated: Sidwell Friends 10-7; St. John’s 13-9; St. Mary's Ryken 11-4; Seton, Md. 11-3 and O'Connell 11-6.

Two of the Panthers five losses have been to St. Stephens/St. Agnes - ranked in the top 10 in the U.S. and to Georgetown Visitation ranked in the top 50 in the U.S.

Anchoring the Panther defense is senior goalie Ashley Dawson, senior "point" Laura Noonan, senior "cover point" Carrie Palmisano, senior "third man" Maggie Bridges, senior "left defensive wing" Kerry O'Connor and junior "right defensive wing" Katie Dannemann (the coach’s daughter).

"Everything starts on the defensive end of the field. We stress possession and we stress patience," said Dannemann.

Spearheading the Panther offense is senior "first home" Marie Zapolski, sophomore "second home" Victoria Velesz, junior "third home" Bonnie Hansen, senior "right attack wing" Kathleen Berger, senior "left attack wing" Lauren DePont and senior "center" Katie Doherty.

"We've been playing better in transition and we've been getting better with the "draw controls," said DePont. "Also our defense has been clicking. [Regarding coach Dannemann] - he knows us real well. He knows our strengths and he knows our weaknesses. It's enjoyable playing for him, because he makes it fun."

In PVI’s April 26 victory over Bishop O'Connell, Zapolski, Velesz and DePont all contributed three goals apiece. Berger added two goals for the Panthers.

When Paul VI outscored O'Connell a week or so ago, the Panthers recorded 20 shots to O'Connell's 14. In addition, PVI scooped up 24 ground balls to O'Connell's 13.

Zapolski, Doherty and Noonan are the 2005 PVI captains. "The responsibility of being a captain involves pumping up and guiding the players. It's also to show the younger girls the right way to go," said Zapolski.

Other key Panthers this season include: senior Virginia Boardman, juniors Allie Armellino, Jenn Bracht, Christine Mike, Katie Moran, Megan Sikara, sophomores Casey Bridges, Caroline Lamberti, Kristen Palmisano and freshman Kelley McGrath.

"We've improved since last season," said Zapolski. "We're playing more as a team. We're hopefully in a good position for the WCAC Tournament."

"We have started to become more patient on offense, and we're starting to win the draw controls," said Dannemann. "One of the keys in the WCAC Tournament will be to win the "draw controls."

In 2003, PVI defeated Ireton for the WCAC Championship. In 2004 Good Counsel upset PVI in the WCAC semi-finals.

PVI concludes the 2005 regular season at Ireton May 3 and will host Maret (senior night) on May 5. WCAC quarterfinals begin early next week at the field of the higher seeded team.

O’Connell Girls Struggle Early

The Bishop O'Connell Lady Knights are struggling somewhat in the current lacrosse season. The "Royal Blue and Silver," directed by first-year coach Caroline Crenshaw, currently weigh-in with an overall record of 4-9 (2-5 WCAC).

"We're young this season, but we have a pretty athletic team. The girls have a good game sense and their speed and aggressiveness is also good," said Crenshaw.

The four Knight victories include narrow wins versus Herndon and Yorktown, as well as decisive victories versus St. Mary's Ryken and Seton, Md.

Anchoring the Knight defense is sophomore goalie Maggie Lynch, senior "point" Laura Madson, junior "cover point" Lexi Cotchen, junior "third man" Tricia Urick, junior "left defensive wing" Kelly Hogan and senior "right defensive wing" Liz Bikowski.

"I'm the last defender," said Lynch. "It's my job to stop the ball. We all communicate and talk all of the time on defense. Regarding next season, we've got a lot of younger girls and we've got a lot of potential."

Spearheading the Knights offense is senior "first home" Bethany Natoli, freshman "second home" Liz Buttram, freshman "third home" Karen Nirschl, sophomore "right attack wing" Alyssa Dabbinigno, sophomore "left attack wing" Cara O'Brien and sophomore "center" Alex Breiner.

Breiner's late three goals versus Paul VI on April 26 trimmed the Knights second half deficit from 10-3 to 10-6.

Natoli, Madson and Bikowski are the Knight 2005 captains.

"As captains, we help to motivate the players and we are sort of role models," said Bikowski. "Regarding this year's team - it's been hard to get into a rhythm. We only returned 6-7 players from last season’s squad."

Other key Knights this season include senior Maddie Urick, juniors Anna Hersh, Meredith McDonough, Katie Reynolds, Julie Roubik, Julia Terrell, Melanie Wadden, Kelly Weaver and freshman Ellen Bikowski.

"We have to keep working on the skills. Our Achilles heel has pretty much been our transition game - we make a bad pass or we drop the ball. We need to get our passing and our catching down better," said Crenshaw.

The Lady Knights have concluded their regular season. Next week, in the WCAC quarterfinals, O'Connell will play on the road versus an opponent yet to be determined.